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he had settled with crossed legs and his back against the wall. "You are fond of Lord Ian, are you not, Geoffrey?" |
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Alinor smiled. "And not overpleased that he should take a wife?" |
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The young face was still expressionless, but the eyes flicked to her swiftly, once. "I must be glad of anything that makes my lord glad. Of course I am pleased." |
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Restraining her impulse to laugh aloud, which would surely offend the delicate sensibilities of youth, Alinor patted Geoffrey's tightly clasped hands. "That is very generous of you, since you must fear that Lord Ian's time will be spent in different ways and that he will not be able to give so much attention to your training and advancement. But it will not be so. First, Lord Ian would never forget his responsibilities in that way. Second, I could not wish it nor permit it. It will be very important to me that you be strong and skilled in your duties. Many times Lord Ian's safety will depend upon you, so I must urge him to teach you all he can as quick as he can." |
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Something was stirring behind the fixed young mask. Alinor waited, her hand resting gently on Geoffrey's. The boy stared at her, taking in the white skin, the full, generous mouth, the short, slightly tip-tilted nose, the large green-brown eyes shaded by black, black lashes. Geoffrey was young, but not too young to recognize that the way the features were put together produced beauty. It was a beauty different from the queen's, but it was still hateful and suspicious. In his grandfather's house, the women had been kind to him. None of them looked like the queen or like Lady Alinor. |
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"But you are so beautiful," he burst out. |
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"Why, thank you, Geoffrey," Alinor replied. She was considerably startled. The exclamation was no compliment. There had been a ring of fear in the boy's voice. |
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